Issue 16, 21st October 2022

From the Principal

Yura families,

A difficult process for schools is finding the correct balance of communication.  For some parents what we offer is too much and for others it is not enough.  So, as a school we constantly review and reflect on our processes of communication to ensure we are working as a team.  I would like to encourage all parents/carers to contact their child's class teacher / Deputy Principal or myself if they are concerned at all.  We all know the impact that "Chinese Whispers" has in schools and/or other work spaces.  We are happy to share any information that we are able, considering the confidentiality policy, to provide you with the most accurate information. The impact of misinformation on the school can be detrimental.  

Thank you to those parents who call / email to ask for time to disucss any concerns.  At Hilliard, we know that parents play a significant part in the education of their children and we are 'all in this together'.  So, if you are unsure...please ask.  Thank you for all the positive messages of support that we have received.  It is lovely for the staff to receive positive feedback.  

Cluster Collaboration: We are continuing our work with Region and cluster schools to further strengthen our understanding and precision with learning at Hilliard.  Currently, we are part of three main projects: 

• Clarity - Lyn Sharratt
• Explicit Teaching of Reading
• Whole School Curriculum Planning

Next year we will have a focus on providing parent sessions on the above topics and more.  Now that the stress of COVID seems to have passed, we will focus on encouraging parents involvement in learning again. 

Car Parks: To ensure the safety of all our students, could I ask that you do NOT encourage your children to walk through the staff car park.  We have paths that are safe for all of our students.

Bikes: We have received information from community members that some of our students are being very unsafe on their bikes, on the road.  If your child rides to school, could you please discuss with them how to safely ride to and from school?

Wesley Kids In School Program: Starting next week our Yr 3, 4 and 5 students will be involved in a proactive program teaching students about positive mental health.  The goal of the program is it reduce the number of children and young people experiencing mental health concerns.  We were successful in our application to be part of this pilot program and look forward to the sessions that will occur this term and into next year.  If your child is a part of the pilot, you will receive an email outlining the topic that will be discussed and an opportuinty to 'opt-out'.

Eco Marines: As part of our new Eco Marine program that is being introduced in 2023, we are introducing new leadership positions for students. We will be appointing four Eco-Marine Ambassadors. Two ambassadors from Year 5, 2022 and two ambassadors chosen from Year 5, 2023. Mrs B will be the Eco-Marine co-ordinator at Hilliard SS. Fran, from Eco-Marine Tangalooma came and introduced this program to our year 4 & year 5 students on Wednesday.

What is Eco Marines? Eco-Marine is a program that inspires and empowers students to become conservation leaders through an award-winning school program. This program includes events that enable students to network with other schools, connect with local businesses, and learn from Traditional Custodians and industry experts.

The Eco-Marine ambassadors will encourage the school network to identify and tackle challenges impacting our local community in a fun and creative way. These passionate students will create a wave of environmental change as the guardians and future leaders of our planet.

Please click on the link to learn more about this program. https://ecomarines.org/primary-school-program/

Eco Marine

From the School Leadership Team

Hilliard SS Year 6 Student Leadership 2023

Hilliard State School encourages students in their final year of primary education to undertake leadership roles in the school.  Whilst all Year 6 students will be considered school leaders, a small number of students will be elected and receive badges for formal leadership positions.

In 2023 student leadership positions at our school will include:

*School Captains (4 students)   *Student Leaders (12 students)  *First Nations Leaders (2 identified students)

Students applying for a leadership role must have at least 2 Hilliard SS staff members as referees, one of those being their class teacher, and have participated in the Year 5 Mentor program. Such students will also have demonstrated a high standard of effort and behaviour across subject areas and have been actively involved in the general life of the school.  Students who have been involved in the Year 5 Mentoring Program will have an opportunity to showcase their leadership growth.

This year we will be confirming our School Captains (4), half of the Student Leaders (6) and First Nations Students (2) by the end of 2022.  The other six leadership positions will be filled by halfway through Term 1 2023.  This will allow the addition of student leaders after gauging the development of maturity over the 3 months.  The Yr 6 teachers will work with the students to support their development and with the setting of goals. 

From your Friendly Office Staff

Upcoming important dates:

• Prep 2023 Come and Play afternoons Thursday 20th & 27th October, 3rd & 10th November 
• Friday 28th October - Day for Daniel Student Council Free Dress Fundraiser
  
• Wednesday 2nd November Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival &  Year 1 Fire Education Visit (QFS)
  
• 10 November Yr 6 Camp Payments DUE
• 22nd November Prep-Yr 2 Swimming Lesson Payments DUE
• 21st-23rd November Year 6 Camp
• 28th November - 7th December Prep to Year 2 swimming lessons
• Wednesday 30th November Year 6 Graduation
• Wednesday 7th December Year 6 Fun Day

Statements were sent home last week.  We ask that families ensure that all invoices are finalised by due dates as we need to prepare for the end of the school year.   There is only one more invoice to be sent out this year, and that is for the Year 6 Graduation/Fun Day .  If you have any questions, queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us on 3820 1666 or admin@hilliardss.eq.edu.au.

Enjoy the weekend - see you in week 4!

Warm Regards

Lisa, Katy & Keryn

Positive Partnerships

Sport

YEAR 3-6 SWIMMING CARNIVAL - Wednesday 2^nd November, 2022

SEATING ARRANGEMENTS

• The designated parent area for the swimming carnival is the tiered grass section under the shade sails in front of the club house.  Parents are asked to make their way to this area upon arrival. Parents are asked to remain in the designated parent area during the swimming carnival.  No parent is to be on the pool deck unless officiating.  Parent officials must immediately return to the designated parent area on completion of official duties.

• The grandstand will be reserved for student seating only.  All students will be seated in the grandstand under teacher supervision.  No students are to be in the designated parent area during the swimming carnival.

CANTEEN ARRANGEMENTS

• Parents are welcome to use the canteen.  We ask that parents refrain from buying food from the canteen for their child/ren.
• All students are to bring their own packed lunch.  Students will not be permitted to buy food from the canteen.

TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS

• Buses will be provided to transport students to and from the swimming carnival.
• Parents may choose to transport their child / children to or from the swimming carnival by private transport however, no refunds will be given for those students transported by private transport. Prior arrangements must be made with the class teacher if a parent is planning to take their child directly to the pool or is collecting their child from the pool on the day of the swimming carnival. Parents must sign students in at the recording desk or class teacher and sign out if with their class teacher and the designated teacher at the entry to the pool if transporting their child by private transport. Students are to walk with their parents to and from their vehicle. 

ZINC

• Students may apply their own personal zinc however, this should be limited to one strip of house colour on each cheek (no names, love hearts etc.)

PROTESTS / DISQUALIFICATIONS

• NB. No diving will be permitted – students will start all races/relays in the water
• Any protests MUST be made in writing on the official protest form which can be collected from the recording tent located on the opposite side of the pool to the grandstand. Once completed, protest forms are to be handed in to an official at the recording tent no more than 15 minutes after the completion of the event.
• Students swimming 50M or 200IM events will only be disqualified for major breaches such as standing on the bottom of the pool, holding the lane rope, using a different stroke, not fully completing a lap and swimming out of their lane.

Timetable

Library News

The last week of borrowing from the school Library will be Week 6.

All books are to be returned by the end of Week 8.

Overdue notices will be set out in Weeks 7 and 9.

If you are unable to find the item that you have borrowed, please advise your teacher.

A donation to the school of a replacement book would be appreciated.

P and C

OCT 2022 HILLIARD P&C NEWS

XMAS Stall

It’s the happiest season of all,

When the P&C put out the call,

For donations to place, in our raffles for sale,

In our wonderful Christmas time stall.

We are getting ready and set for our Xmas stalls to be held on the 1^st and 2^nd of December. It’s one of our favourite events to get involved in, so if you are interested in being part of the cuteness overload that is children shopping for Xmas gifts then please let us know at hilliardpandcfundraising@gmail.com .

Also, if you have any, or know of any sources of donations to sell as gifts or include in the Xmas stall raffle please don’t hesitate to let us know by email or drop off directly at the Tuckerbox. Many thanks in advance!

Containers For Change

Our P&C Coordinates a Containers for Change Queensland recycling scheme to raise additional funds for our school community.  There are orange bins placed around the school to collect any containers students might have at break times, or alternatively you can donate containers directly at any depot and use: Hilliard State School Scheme Id #C10161576

This can be used across Queensland, so any family members further afield can contribute too. For more information on what containers are eligible, see www.containersforchange.com.au

Tuckerbox Update

HALLOWE'EN SPOOKTACULAR. Friday the 28th of October!

MEAL DEALS - Your choice of Nachos or a Hotdog, with a drink and a Spider Choc Chip Cookie

OVER THE COUNTER:

• Vampire Bat Brownies
• Halloween Themed Cupcakes
• Witches Broom chocolate crackles
• Sour worms in jelly
• Icecream cones
• Choc Chip Cookies

Meal Deals are available to preorder from now until 9am on Wednesday 26th October. We will NOT be running our regular menu on this date. A limited alternative menu of sandwiches will be available though.  Please send either cash or order Vouchers through QKR for children to purchase over the counter treats.  PREPS: a special table will be set up in the prep area for students to purchase treats from on the day.

Prep - Year 3- will receive their Meal Deal at 1st break

Year 4-Year6 - will receive their meal deals at 2nd break.

Cut off for ordering this Theme Meal Deal is 9am on Wednesday next week!

PREP SIZED MEALS

We now have prep-sized offerings of some hot food favourites! Look for them on QKR!

Kookaburra has a name!

Thank you to everyone who submitted suggestions for our kookaburra Mascot Name Competition!

Our winning entry has been announced, so congratulations to Aaron from 3OK!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Upcoming 2022 events:

• Spooktacular Tuckerbox event 28^th Oct
• Bunnings BBQ Sunday 20 November
• Xmas stall 1^st & 2^nd Dec

Containers For Change

Our P&C Coordinates a Containers for Change Queensland recycling scheme to raise additional funds for our school community.  There are orange bins placed around the school to collect any containers students might have at break times, or alternatively you can donate containers directly at any depot and use: Hilliard State School Scheme Id #C10161576

This can be used across Queensland, so any family members further afield can contribute too. For more information on what containers are eligible, see www.containersforchange.com.au

Coach Lee

Hilliard students have been busy making their little people to hang on the fence of our school. It is a great reminder of their time at Hilliard State school as it depicts the positive uplifting culture, we are developing here in our school community. Well done Hilliard students and thank you to the school team for encouraging us to do a worthwhile project together.

Breakfast club will be cancelled next week (week 4) but will resume in week 5 in a new location on the lawn outside the administration block.

Have a great weekend,

Thanks Coach Lee

Little People Project

Community Notices

Smith Family

The Smith Family continues to run its matched savings program for families to help with school related expenses. Saver Plus supports eligible families to save for education related expenses by providing up to $500 for school costs via our free budgeting and matched savings program. We have now had over 55,000 families complete the program, and the program is now delivered virtually.

You can find more information about the program on our website or our Facebook page. 

Here is a short video about the program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpR1l-UnooI&t=68s

Families can use this initiative to pay for items such as:

• Laptops, computers, or tablets
• School uniforms
• School books and stationery
• Textbooks
• Music classes or instruments
• Sporting classes or equipment
• Excursions and camps

Jabiru

We would like to thank the Jabiru Hilliard Community who took part in our Father’s Day Breakfast that our children facilitated. What a beautiful morning we had interacting over yummy BBQ Bacon and Egg rolls. Following this event we ran our Spring Vacation Care that was filled with activities, fun and smiles. We ventured to AREA 51 and the Movies with the children and had special guests attend on-site including Matt Fiddes Martial Arts and Creative Dance Industries. The children had a blast and were ready for Term 4. We are already planning Summer Vacation Care activities/ excursions and special guests. Can't wait! Have a good Term 4 everyone, and lets cherish these moments together with our Year 6 children.

Crime Prevention Corner

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